Production line for food products

ABSTRACT

A production line for food products includes a plurality of apparatus modules ( 1 ) arranged one after the other, each module being arranged to perform at least one manufacturing stage of the food product. The production line includes a frame ( 2 ), which includes driving elements ( 3 ) for driving at least one apparatus module ( 1 ). At least one movable apparatus module ( 1 ) can be adapted to the driving elements ( 3 ) in the frame ( 2 ) such that the apparatus module ( 1 ) can be driven by the driving elements ( 1 ) in the frame ( 2 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a production line for food products comprisinga plurality of apparatus modules arranged one after the other eachmodule being arranged to perform at least one manufacturing stage of thefood product.

In this connection, the production line for food products refers to abakery production line, for instance.

On a production line of this kind, an apparatus module can be a doughhandling module or a filling dispenser module.

From French patent 2,678,484 is known a production line for foodproducts comprising a plurality of apparatus modules for performing atleast one manufacturing stage. A problem with the known arrangement isthe heavy structure of the apparatus modules, because all the apparatusmodules have a specific driving means, for instance. Therefore, theapparatus modules of the known solution are expensive and technicallycomplicated. Because they are technically complicated, they are alsodifficult to keep clean and their maintenance is time consuming. Thecomplexity of the apparatus modules also makes product changes slower.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a food industry productionline which solves the above problems.

This is achieved with a food industry production line which ischaracterized in that the production line comprises a frame, that theframe comprises driving means for driving at least one apparatus module,and that at least one movable apparatus module can be adapted to thedriving means of the frame such that the apparatus module can be drivenby the driving means of the frame.

The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in thedependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea that the frame comprising the drivingmeans for driving at least one apparatus module allows to make theapparatus module simpler. In other words, the frame and the drivingmeans located therein serve as a power source for the apparatusmodule(s) connected thereto.

An object of the production line according to the invention is toprovide a completely modular structure for apparatus modules as well asfor a possible modular driving frame to be described below, possibleroller modules to be described below and possible floor modules to bedescribed below.

The solution according to the invention enables replacing the apparatusmodules by new and different ones and using them to meet therequirements of new products, for instance, when the life cycle of oldproducts is coming to an end. The production line of the invention hasan advantage that it enables apparatus modules which are technicallysimpler, and consequently, cheaper and more user-friendly. This alsopermits that more apparatus modules of various kinds can be purchased tothe production plant, and thus, more product variants can be produced.

Further, the solution of the invention provides an advantage that theapparatus modules are easier to clean and service, because the apparatusmodules are technically simpler. Because the apparatus modules aresimple and they can be readily arranged product-specifically indifferent positions on the production line, the production line of theinvention is easy to rearrange for manufacturing various food products.Known solutions do not enable free positioning of the apparatus modulesin different places.

The solution of the invention also enables free positioning on theproduction line of different parts of the apparatuses included in oneconventional apparatus module. For instance, a rolling machine moduleneed not necessarily be in its entirety in an upstream position on theline, but different parts thereof can be placed in a plurality ofseparate apparatus modules such that rolling modules and intermediateconveyor modules can be placed throughout the production line. In otherwords, it is not necessary to roll only one dough to serve as base, butdough having multiple layers, such as laminated dough or puff pastry,can also be produced. The solution of the invention also enables thearrangement of the rolling modules and the possible conveyor modulessuch that it is possible to manufacture products having three layers ofdough and filling between the layers, for instance. The dough layers canalso be of different kinds, for instance, rye dough at the bottom, wheatdough in the middle and short crust pastry on the top. This allows easymanufacturing of different kinds of products and also such products thathave previously been impossible to produce on these kinds of productionlines.

The production lines for food products are often provided with aconveyor system that comprises a conveyor belt. The known productionlines for food products have a drawback that it is difficult to change aconveyor belt, such as a perforated conveyor belt for another perforatedconveyor belt. The perforated conveyor belts are product-specific. Justto give an example, the perforated conveyor belt intended formanufacturing Karelian pasties cannot be used for manufacturing Danishpastries which require a particular perforated conveyor belt. Hence, itis very important to be able to change the conveyor belt such that thechange can be done quickly, easily and hygienically. Therefore, onepreferred embodiment of the production line according to the inventioncomprises an endless conveyor belt that is removable from andremountable onto rollers guiding the conveyor belt without having todisconnect the endless belt.

The conveyor system of the production line according to the inventionadvantageously comprises means for reeling the conveyor belt into acassette or the like for storing and transporting the endless belt andfor facilitating the mounting thereof. The solution prevents theconveyor belt from coming into contact with the floor when being mountedand/or removed. The solution also facilitates the mounting and/orremoval of long and heavy conveyor belts.

In one preferred embodiment of the production line for food productsaccording to the invention, at least one extension piece comprisingdriving means for driving at least one apparatus module can be arrangedin the frame. The extension piece enables implementation of productionlines of various lengths. Said extension piece is preferably such thatin addition to extending the frame it can also be used for providing aseparate, independent production line.

The known solutions have a drawback that the client cannot order aproduction line, by which products could be first manufactured in asingle file and whose capacity could be raised to a desired level lateron as the demand and volume increase by adding a selected number ofparallel product files in a lateral direction. The solution of theinvention enables implementation of production lines of various widths,i.e. production lines comprising a plurality of conveyor belts inparallel, for instance, or permitting the use of conveyor belts andapparatus modules of various widths. The production line according tothe invention enables arrangement of apparatus modules of various widthsin the frame. This means that by selecting wider apparatus modules, morecapacity is achieved in the lateral direction of the production line.Wider apparatus modules, in turn, enable a wider conveyor system, e.g. awider conveyor belt. Alternatively, it is possible to provide anincrease in capacity by positioning a plurality of apparatus modulesside by side in the lateral direction of the production line and tocombine these operationally such that the apparatus module adjacent tothe frame is driven by the driving means in the frame and the nextapparatus module is driven by the apparatus module adjacent to theframe. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that also rollermodules to be described below can be arranged side by side in acorresponding manner. Thus, the solution of the invention makes itpossible that an economical ‘single-file’ production line can be startedwith and production volume can be increased when needed withoutreplacement investment. Said at least one extension piece that can bearranged in the frame of the production line according to the inventioncan also be such that enables expansion in the production line accordingto the invention in a corresponding manner in a lateral direction.

One preferred embodiment of the production line according to theinvention comprises a floor module, which comprises means for securingthe frame to the floor module, means for connecting the floor modulewith a drainage system and means for securing the floor module to thefloor. Including the floor module in the total delivery enables deliveryof a fully test-run production system in one package to the productionplant of the client.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail inconnection with preferred embodiments, with reference to the attacheddrawings, wherein

FIG. 1 shows a production line for food products;

FIG. 2 shows a frame of the production line;

FIG. 3 shows one apparatus module;

FIG. 4 shows a conveyor system; and

FIG. 5 shows the conveyor system of FIG. 4 in a state, where a conveyorbelt is detached from rollers and roller modules are detached from theframe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a production line for food products comprising a pluralityof movable apparatus modules 1 arranged one after the other each modulebeing arranged to perform at least one manufacturing stage of the foodproduct. The manufacturing stage of the food product can be, forinstance, dough rolling, dough moulding or filling dispensing.

The production line of the invention comprises a frame 2. In the figure,the frame 2 is an elongated structure, against which the apparatusmodules 1 can be arranged. In the figure, the frame 2 is constructedsuch that all the apparatus modules 1 are located on the same side ofthe frame 2. The frame 2 is advantageously made such that productionlines of various lengths can be implemented thereby. This means, forinstance, that a different number of apparatus modules 1 needed in themanufacture of food products can be arranged to the frame 2.

In the production line of the invention, the frame 2 comprises drivingmeans 3 for driving at least one apparatus module 1. At least onemovable apparatus module 1 can be adapted to the driving means 3 of theframe 2 such that the apparatus module 1 can be driven by the drivingmeans 3 of the frame 2. Advantageously, the frame 2 comprises such anumber of driving means 3 that each apparatus module 1 needed on theproduction line can be driven by the driving means 3 of the frame 2.

It is also possible to arrange extension pieces (not shown) in the frame2 so as to provide production lines of various lengths (long and/orshort). This enables detachment of a desired apparatus module 1 with orwithout the frame 2 and transfer to another place to serve as anindependently operating production line. Said extension pieceadvantageously comprises driving means for driving at least oneapparatus module 1.

The driving means 3 are preferably movable with respect to the frame 2so as to receive various apparatus modules 1 of various sizes, forinstance. This means that the driving means 3 are movable in thevertical direction and in the longitudinal direction of the frame 2, forinstance.

The frame 2 advantageously comprises an automatic identifying system(not indicated by reference numeral) for the apparatus module 1, whichsystem is arranged to automatically identify the apparatus module 1adapted to the driving means 3. In this manner, it is possible toidentify automatically what kind of an apparatus module 1 is connectedto the frame 2, at a particular point of the frame.

Further, the production line for food products according to theinvention advantageously comprises a control system (not shown) forcontrolling the operation of various apparatuses on the production line.Said control system is advantageously connected to said automaticidentifying system for the apparatus module 1 such that data on thelocation of a particular apparatus module are automatically entered inthe control system as the apparatus module is put into place on theproduction line.

The frame 2 advantageously comprises guides 4 for guiding the apparatusmodule 1 into place with respect to the frame 2. These guides 4 areadvantageously arranged to guide the apparatus module 1 such that, atthe same time, the apparatus module 1 is guided to a right place withrespect to the driving means 3 so as to engage therewith.Advantageously, these guides 4 can also be arranged to keep theapparatus modules 1 in place with respect to the frame 2.

The frame 2 advantageously comprises movable locking means (notindicated by reference numeral) for locking the apparatus module 1 intoplace with respect to the frame 2. The locking means preferably operateautomatically such that they automatically lock the apparatus module 1into place in the frame 2 at least when the production line is inoperation or when the apparatus module 1 is mounted with respect to theframe 2.

In the figures, the apparatus modules 1 advantageously comprise wheels 5for moving the apparatus modules. Alternatively, the apparatus modules 1can be provided with some other means for moving them.

The production line shown in the figures also comprises a conveyorsystem (not indicated by reference numeral), which comprises aperforated conveyor belt 6 for conveying semi-finished and/or finishedfood products to be shaped (not shown) on the production line.Alternatively, the semi-finished and/or finished food products can beconveyed on the production line in some other manner, for instance, oninclined surfaces (not shown) or transferable plates (not shown).

The conveyor belt 6 is advantageously but not necessarily an endlessbelt as shown in the figures.

The conveyor system shown in the figures comprises a first side 9 on oneside of the endless belt 6 and a second side 10 on the opposite side ofthe endless belt 6. The conveyor system shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 comprisestwo rollers 8 for guiding the endless belt 6 on the production line. InFIGS. 4 and 5, the rollers 8 are secured in the conveyor system only onthe second side 10 of the conveyor system and the endless belt 6 isdetachably mounted on the rollers 8 such that the endless belt 6 can beremoved from the rollers 8 and remounted onto the rollers 8 from thefirst side 9 of the conveyor system without having to disconnect theendless belt 6.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the endless belt 6 can be removed from the conveyorsystem, for instance, by pulling the endless belt 6 at least partly inthe direction of the rotation axis (not shown) of the rollers 8. Inother words, the endless belt 6 is removable from the rollers 8 from thefirst side 9 of the conveyor system, for instance, by pulling theendless belt 6 from the rollers 8 in a direction that is substantiallytransversal to the travel direction (not indicated by reference numeral)of the conveyor belt 6. The endless conveyor belt 6 is remountable in acorresponding manner onto the rollers 8 from the first side 9 of theconveyor system without having to disconnect the endless conveyor belt6.

The conveyor system of the production line shown in the figures can beeasily rendered to a state, in which the endless belt 6 is easilyremovable from the rollers 8 from the first side 9 of the conveyorsystem. The situation in FIG. 4 is achieved by moving the movableapparatus modules aside such that the endless belt 6 is substantiallyfully exposed.

The apparatus modules 1 shown in the figures are designed such that theapparatus modules 1 can be arranged in and transferred from the conveyorsystem the conveyor belt 6 being mounted in the conveyor system. Theapparatus module 1 of FIG. 3 is designed to comprise a first recess 14extending from an end (not indicated by reference numeral) of theapparatus module 1, and therebeneath a second recess 15 for the conveyorbelt 3. The apparatus module 1 of FIG. 3 can thus be pushed against theframe 2 as the conveyor belt 6 is mounted in the conveyor system in sucha manner that the upper portion (not indicated by reference numeral) ofthe conveyor belt 6 occupies the first recess 14 and the lower portion(not indicated by reference numeral) of the conveyor belt 6 occupies thesecond recess 15. In the apparatus module 1 of FIG. 3 the second recess15 is completely beneath the production devices (not indicated byreference numerals) of the apparatus module 1 and the first recess 14goes through said production devices of the apparatus module 1. In otherwords, the first recess 14 forms a gap of the same width as the conveyorbelt 6 in the apparatus module 1, in which the conveyor belt 6 isarranged to travel.

In FIG. 5, the rollers 8 are supported in the roller modules 7 only inthe vicinity of the second end 11 of the rollers 8 such that a verticalsupport 13 is located only at the second end 11 of the roller 8. Theroller 8 is secured substantially at the upper end of the verticalsupport 13. The first end 12 of the roller 8 is not supported with asimilar vertical support 13. Hence, a recess 16, which extends beneaththe roller 8 from the first end 12 of the roller module 7 up to thevertical support 13 is formed in the roller module 7. Thus, suspensionas shown in FIG. 5 enables that the endless conveyor belt 6 is pushed,i.e. mounted onto the roller from the first end 12 of the roller 8, i.e.from the first side 9 of the conveyor system without having todisconnect the endless conveyor belt 6.

Advantageously, the conveyor system is adjustable such that conveyorbelts 6 of various sizes and qualities can be employed therein. In thefigures, adjustment is implemented such that the rollers 8 are arrangedin the roller modules 7 whose positioning with respect to one another isadjustable.

Use of the roller modules 7 also allows that by positioning the rollermodules 7 at desired places on the production line, the semi-finishedand/or finished food products can be conveyed on the conveyor belt 6from one selected point to another. For instance, the semi-finished foodproducts can be conveyed on the conveyor belt 6 from the desired pointvia particular apparatus modules 1, and the semi-finished or finishedfood products can be delivered from the conveyor belt 6 at a desiredpoint.

It is also possible that the conveyor system comprises more that tworollers 8 or roller modules 7 provided with a roller 8, and the desiredconveyor system 2 can be achieved by mounting the conveyor belt 6 onselected rollers 8.

It is possible that the production line for food products according tothe invention comprises more than one conveyor systems, for instance twoconveyor belts 6.

The roller modules 7 are preferably movable with respect to the frame 2such that the conveyor belt 6 can be driven by the driving means 3 inthe frame 2. The driving means 3 are preferably movable with respect tothe frame 2 so as to receive various roller modules 7.

The frame 2 advantageously comprises an automatic roller moduleidentifying system (not shown) arranged in connection with the drivingmeans, which system is arranged to automatically identify the rollermodule 7 adapted to the driving means 3. Advantageously, the rollermodule identifying system is the same system as the one arranged toidentify the apparatus module 1 adapted to the driving means 3, if theproduction line is provided with this kind of identifying system for theapparatus module 1.

Said guides 4 for guiding the apparatus modules 1 into place withrespect to the frame 2 is advantageously also arranged to guide theroller module 7 to a point where it will automatically be connected withthe driving means 3 in the frame 2.

The frame 2 advantageously comprises movable locking means (notindicated by reference numeral) for locking at least one roller module 7into place with respect to the frame 2. The locking means preferablyoperate automatically such that they automatically lock the rollermodule 7 into place in the frame 2 at least when the production line isin operation or when the roller module 7 is mounted with respect to theframe 2.

The roller modules 7 shown in the figures advantageously comprise wheels5 for moving the modules 7. Alternatively, the roller modules 7 can beprovided with some other means for moving them.

In the figures, the conveyor system 2 comprises means 17 for tighteningthe endless belt 6. The means 17 can also be arranged to prevent theendless belt 6 from loosening when the production line is in use. Themeans 17 for tightening the belt 6 shown in FIG. 5 comprise a pneumaticcylinder (not indicated by reference numeral).

The conveyor system 2 preferably comprises means for reeling theconveyor belt 6 into a cassette (not shown) or the like for storing ortransporting the conveyor belt 6 and for facilitating the mountingthereof. The solution prevents the conveyor belt from coming intocontact with the floor when being mounted and/or removed. The solutionalso facilitates the mounting and/or removal of long and heavy conveyorbelts 6.

The conveyor belt 6 can also be arranged to shape a semi-finished foodproduct or to carry out another manufacturing stage of the food product.FIGS. 4 and 5 show conveyor belts 6, which are provided with openings(not indicated by reference numerals) for conveying moulds (not shown).

The production line for food products according to the inventionadvantageously also comprises a floor module (not shown), whichcomprises means (not shown) for securing the frame 2 to the floormodule, means (not shown) for connecting the floor module with adrainage system and means not shown) for securing the floor module tothe floor.

It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that as technologyprogresses the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in avariety of ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus notrestricted to the above-described examples, but they may vary within thescope of the claims.

1. A production line for food products comprising: a plurality ofapparatus modules arranged one after the other, each module beingadapted to perform at least one manufacturing stage of the food product,wherein the production line comprises a frame, wherein the framecomprises driving means for driving at least one apparatus module,wherein at least one movable apparatus module can be adapted to thedriving means in the frame such that the apparatus module can be drivenby the driving means in the frame, wherein the apparatus module isconfigured to perform at least one food product manufacturing stage, andwherein the driving means serves as a power source for the apparatusmodule.
 2. A production line as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drivingmeans are movable with respect to the frame so as to receive variousapparatus modules.
 3. A production line as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe frame comprises guides for guiding the apparatus module into placewith respect to the frame.
 4. A production line as claimed in claim 1,wherein the apparatus module comprises means for moving the modules. 5.A production line as claimed in claim 4, wherein the means for movingthe modules comprise wheels.
 6. A production line as claimed in claim 1,further comprising a conveyor belt for conveying semi-finished and/orfinished food products on the production line.
 7. A production line asclaimed in claim 6, wherein the conveyor system is adjustable such thatconveyor belts of various sizes and qualities can be employed therein.8. A production line as claimed in claim 6, wherein the conveyor beltcan be driven by the driving means in the frame.
 9. A production line asclaimed in claim 6, further comprising means for tightening the conveyorbelt.
 10. A production line as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foodproduct manufacturing stage is at least one of dough rolling, doughmoulding, and filling dispensing.
 11. A production line for foodproducts comprising: a plurality of apparatus modules arranged one afterthe other, each module being adapted to perform at least onemanufacturing stage of the food product, wherein the production linecomprises a frame, wherein the frame comprises driving means for drivingat least one apparatus module, and wherein at least one movableapparatus module can be adapted to the driving means in the frame suchthat the apparatus module can be driven by the driving means in theframe, a conveyor belt for conveying semi-finished and/or finished foodproducts on the production line wherein the conveyor belt is an endlessconveyor belt, wherein a conveyor system comprises a first side on oneside of the conveyor belt and a second side on the other, opposite sideof the endless conveyor belt, wherein the production line comprises atleast two rollers for guiding the endless conveyor belt on theproduction line, wherein the rollers are secured in the conveyor systemonly on the second side of the conveyor system, and wherein the endlessconveyor belt is detachably mounted on the rollers such that the endlessbelt can be removed from the rollers and remounted onto the rollers fromthe first side of the conveyor system without having to disconnect theendless belt.
 12. A production line as claimed in claim 11, wherein therollers are arranged in movable roller modules.
 13. A production line asclaimed in claim 11, wherein the conveyor belt can be driven by thedriving means in the frame, wherein the rollers are arranged in movableroller modules, and wherein the driving means can be moved with respectto the frame so as to receive various roller modules.
 14. A productionline as claimed in claim 11, wherein the conveyor belt can be driven bythe driving means in the frame, and wherein the rollers are arranged inmovable roller modules.
 15. A production line as claimed in claim 11,wherein the rollers are arranged in movable roller modules, and whereinthe frame comprises guides for guiding the roller module into place withrespect to the frame.
 16. A production line as claimed in claim 11,wherein the rollers are arranged in movable roller modules, and whereinthe roller module comprises means for moving the modules.
 17. Aproduction line as claimed in claim 16, wherein the means for moving themodules comprise wheels.
 18. A production line as claimed in claim 11,wherein the rollers are arranged in movable roller modules, and whereinthe movable roller modules can be moved with respect to the frame suchthat the conveyor belt can be driven by the driving means in the frame.19. A production line as claimed in claim 11, further comprising meansfor reeling the conveyor belt into a container.
 20. A production line asclaimed in claim 19, wherein the container is a cassette.